Hollace Schmidt authored an excellent piece, detailing the risks, warning signs and prevention tips for women and reminding us that anyone, even the fittest athletes, can suffer life-threatening blood clots. Many thanks to her and the volunteers and NBCA Medical and Scientific Advisory Board members quoted in the article for helping to put blood clots on the nation's radar. Read the full article here.

Join us on Sunday, December 15 at beautiful Shoreline Aquatic Park in Long Beach to help raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of blood clots while raising funds in support of NBCA's mission. We're excited about this first west coast NBCA Walk and are greatly indebted to the NBCA volunteer team for their outstanding grassroots efforts in organizing this event on our behalf. If you would like to participate please click here to register. You don't have to be in Los Angeles to help them reach their goal! As 2013 comes to a close, you can make a donation to Walk to Stop the Clot L.A. by clicking here.

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have conceptualized an easier way to detect blood clots: a urine test.  The test relies on nanoparticles to detect the presence of thrombin, a key factor in clotting. The developers hope the urine test will eventually be used to quickly screen patients who come to the emergency room complaining of symptoms of blood clots (which are often missed) and to monitor patients who are at high risk for blood clots. They hope eventually the test can be completed with a simple dipstick. Stay tuned! Read the press release and the journal article here.

Few people know the signs and symptoms of blood clots; they don't know what to look for. Click here to read about theses signs and symptoms. Blood clots can be deadly - you can help save lives by sharing this information with family and friends and on social media.

If you or family members have had blood clots, you should share that information with all family members and your health care providers.  Such a history may well be a clue to the fact that there may be a genetic predisposition to blood clots or one of the thrombophilias, (genetic conditions that can cause clots) in your family. Click here to learn more about family, genetic issues and blood clots. If you know someone who has not had blood clots themselves, but their family member(s) have, please encourage them to visit the NBCA website at www.stoptheclot.org. Knowing this important information could mean the difference between life and death.